Opportunities

Major Barbara

BY BERNARD SHAW 18 October 2006 — 9 December 2006

Can morality be upheld by immoral means? Andrew Undershaft, an unashamed weapons manufacturer, believes in gunpowder and money. His estranged daughter Barbara, a Major in the Salvation Army, believes he is just another soul to be saved. The two strike a bargain: each will visit the other's place of work in the hope of discovering for themselves the true path of salvation. But when Barbara’s mission is in desperate need of funds, to whom can they turn?

Major Barbara is a superb comedy of ideas that explores the conflict between idealism and practicality.

"…you have made for yourself something that you call a morality or a religion or what not. It doesn’t fit the facts. Well, scrap it. Scrap it and get one that does fit."